NJ 7 CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE GOUTAM JOIS CONDEMNS ILLEGAL AIR STRIKES AGAINST SYRIA

SUMMIT, NJ – New Jersey Seventh Congressional District candidate Goutam Jois issued the following statement in response to the air strikes launched against Syrian targets last night.

“Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad’s chemical weapons attack last weekend that killed innocent children in the Damascus suburb of Douma was indefensible and atrocious, but that does not give the President the authority to act illegally. The Constitution gives Congress alone the power to declare war, and there has been no declaration of war or other authorization for the use of military force that would justify these air strikes.

The Donald Trump/John Bolton air strikes are illegal under U.S. and international law. If the President can attack Syria without authorization, where does it end? Could he attack North Korea without authorization, too?

“All Americans — regardless of party — should be defending our basic democratic institutions, including the checks and balances that the Constitution provides. I’m disappointed in those who would claim to defend our democratic values and institutions while supporting these illegal air strikes.

“Once again, Congressman Lance has proven himself incapable of leadership. Last year, when President Trump launched illegal air strikes against Syria, Rep. Lance said he supported the air strikes but said ‘Further actions should be debated in Congress.’ Yesterday, he issued another statement once again supporting the illegal air strikes and saying,

wishfully, that ‘Congress needs to be involved in further action.’

Rep. Lance calls himself a ‘consummate legislator’ but he has completely abdicated his role as a check and balance on the executive branch. If ever we needed Congress to vigorously fulfill its Constitutional role as a coequal branch of government, it’s now, and that’s why I’m running to replace Leonard Lance.”